Superb local seafood, Fine local wines,Tranquil waterfront views 40 Wharf Street, Port Albert. For bookings call 5183 2007 www.wildfishrestaurant.com.au
PAGE 2 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
Simply the best for fish and chips MICHAEL Hobson owner of Port Albert’s wildfish restaurant and wharf fish and chips says he has the best job in the world. “I love coming to work every day and who wouldn’t with a view like that,” Michael said as he waved his hand in the direction of the beautiful blue waters of the Port Albert inlet. Michael has visited many exotic places in his time but says nothing compares to his home town of Port Albert. Since returning to Port Albert after travelling the world
and working with some very influential people and celebrities including Pamela Stephenson and Sir Richard Branson Michael has thrown his heart and soul into his wharfside restaurant and fish and chip shop at Port Albert. All the hard work has paid off with wildfish restaurant being among the top three seafood restaurants in Victoria according to the Herald Sun fine food guide and just last month their apprentice chef Cameron Hilton took out the Gippstafe most outstanding 1st year apprentice award for 2010. “As a result of the award Cameron was invited to assist highly acclaimed and popular chef Gabriel Gate at the Latrobe Valley Home show recently,” Michael said. “He found assisting someone like Gabriel Gate to be an extraordinary experience and learned a lot from that one session,” he said. “Unfortunately Cameron will be leaving us shortly to further his experiences
closer to his family in the Hunter Valley, and people in this field need to do what Cameron is doing to get as much experience as possible.” With Easter not far away Michael and the team are gearing up for another busy few weeks although Michael concedes it doesn’t matter what the season, people come from far and wide to experience either the fine dining experience at wildfish or some of the best fish and chips in the country. “We are lucky here because we cater for everyone, the Port Albert Wharf fish and chips are always flat out no matter what the weather or day of the week,” Michael said. While many have tried to wrestle the title of the best fish and chips in Australia away from Port Albert, the Port Albert Wharf keeps coming out on top. “Our seafood is fresh off the boats and the service in the fish and chip shop is very good. We can have people lined up out onto
the street and still the staff get the orders out within five to ten minutes,” he said. The Port Albert Wharf Fish and Chips is open seven days a week from 11 am and wildfish restaurant is open from Thursday through to Monday for lunch and dinner with extended hours during the Easter holiday period. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to this stunning historic fishing port and taste some of the best seafood and cuisine around and while in town wander into the maritime museum, local art gallery, or cast a line off the wharf. Port Albert has much to offer.
Noodles: wildfish head chef Paul Fitzsimmons with GippsTafe outstanding apprentice of the year Cameron Hilton, in the wildfish kitchen, prepare fresh pasta for the day’s lunch sitting.
Apprentice of the Year: Cameron Hilton, who was recently named as GippsTafe apprentice of the year, gives wildfish restaurant’s new apprentice Sarah Groombridge a few pointers in the kitchen.
Best in Australia: restaurant owner Michael Hobson watches as Shannon McInnes cooks up another batch of the best fish and chips in Australia.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 3
INSPIRING, amazing, moving, the growing list of accolades for the award-winning National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island is well deserved. Already a very special place offering Vietnam Veterans and their families a nostalgic meeting point, and the wider community an insight into the Vietnam War spanning 10 years from 1962 to 1972, the museum will see some massive changes in the coming months. Museum president Gary Parker is excited about the future plans for the museum that will see the venue expand to double its size. The museum is already huge inside, housing some 20,000 items including photographs, memorabilia, uniforms, the Marbles which were used in the
‘conscription lottery’ to determine the dates of those to be conscripted for military service, vehicles and aircraft that accurately detail the history of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War, Australia’s longest commitment to any war. Mr Parker said the new hangar is already on site and is being assembled. This new hangar will allow the restoration of the Canberra bomber, the last of its type in the world and the Wessex aircraft to begin. These two craft are already on site and once the hangar is up Mr Parker said they will have aeronautical engineer degree students from the Latrobe University and personnel from the Royal Australian Navy assist with the restoration works program. Mr Parker said the Canberra bomber used in Borneo and Vietnam wars would
be restored with running engines. Mr Parker and his hard working team are putting the finishing touches to the latest Special Air Service display, featuring uniforms and memorabilia from the elite units and preparing specially designed educational kits for visiting schools, students and children. There is definitely something for all in this museum and Mr Parker said they have strived to leave a legacy for all Vietnam Veterans, and see the museum as an educational resource for future generations. “We have a strong commitment to making the museum relevant to all, especially children, with interactive displays and very easy to understand displays that tell the story of the Vietnam War in a non political, unbiased manner,” Mr Parker said. A must see at the museum is the emotionally charged hologram exhibit presenting the story of the war in Vietnam, from the defeat of the French in Indo China to the cessation of Australia’s involvement in 1972. It covers such aspects as conscription, the moratoriums and the welcome home parade for our troops. This exhibit will ed-
ucate and entertain kids of all ages from 18 months to 85 years. Mr Parker said “we are delighted with the hologram, it was all we hoped for and it has moved many who come to tour the museum.” Be sure to see the storytelling pictorial mural and the Prisoner of War Missing Persons Flag, proudly flown in the USA on the six special veterans days and the only flag to be flown alongside the American flag atop the White House. There is one very small but significant battered brown case that belonged to Errol Noack, the first National Serviceman killed in South Vietnam on May 24, 1966. Take a break during your tour and relax in the Nui Dat Café where morn-
ing and afternoon tea, delicious cakes, slices and snacks are to be found. Groups are catered for and lunch by prior arrangement. People come from near and far to visit the museum, from all round the State, nationally and internationally.
Restoration: museum president, Gary Parker, oversees restoration works which have started on the world’s only existing Canberra bomber located at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island
PAGE 4 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
DID you hear about the couple who bought an old painting at an opportunity shop for a few dollars and years later discovered there was a far more valuable artwork painted on the back of it?
St Peter’s Anglican shop: manager Kaye Littlejohn and a volunteer of many years, Marg White have noticed visitors like adding to their collections and look for special things.
Above: Salvation Army: volunteer Lyn Frith said people were looking for bargains. Vinnies entertainment: Mary Farrell has helped many visitors, often parents who want to buy their children some toys, puzzles or games to keep them entertained on a rainy day
It is this fortunate kind of treasure hunting that makes browsing in op-shops so attractive. Leongatha has three op-shops that offer a wealth of treasures, especially for visitors who will find many of the items have a distinct country flavour not found in the city. Lyn Frith is a volunteer at the Salvation Army shop at the bottom of Bair St. She has been at the shop for the last three years and has experienced the great interest visitors take in the huge variety of goods for sale. An amazing range of clothes hang on rack upon rack. There are enough books to start a library and the bric-abrac section is enormous. It is a bargain paradise. “During the holidays we get many visitors. People find little treasurers that they don’t seem to find elsewhere,” Lyn said. Kaye Littlejohn is manager at the St Peter’s Anglican op-shop in Bruce St next to the church. She’s been managing the shop for the last 24 years and has noticed a growing number of collectors browsing through. “Many people are collectors of something specific and are seeking that elusive piece to add to their collection,” Kaye said. People spending money at the op-shop will be pleased to know their money is going towards good causes. This year the Anglican shop has donated money to the local State Emergency Services towards a light tower, to palliative care at the Leongatha Memorial Hospital and several church causes, including Anglicare, Christmas hampers and the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal. At Vinnies, the Catholic opportunity shop chain, there is quite an interest in the religious and unusual jewellery offered for sale. But the variety of goods is huge, including clothes, bric-a-brac, home wares, appliances, paintings, glass ware, toys, puzzles and books. “People do like bargains and they like nice and bright things,” volunteer Mary Farrell said. “They may come on a rainy day or to get out of the heat into an airconditioned space. They like browsing around on a holiday.” Mary said people would buy “all sorts of bits and pieces”. Parents and grandparents like bringing their children along and hunt for toys, games and books to keep them amused.” It’s not only children who like to be amused. Loads of books go out of the door and any adult who is looking for a decent holiday read, a gripping plot, or an epic that spans generations, a thriller or murder mystery, can rely on the opshops to provide them with an endless supply of reading entertainment.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 5
An oriental twist NOWADAYS we are used to the idea that almost everything we buy comes from China. So much so that people forget that there are many nations and cultures in Asia and each has its own crafts and skills. Jennie and Hess Strengers, the owners of SO! Me and Zenergie, give you an insight into what the nations, other than China, have to offer. Both in the shop and at the villas the cultural flavours of Asia are all around. That, in turn, can be attributed to the fact that the two of them have spent many, many holidays in Asia. That’s not to say that either the shop or the villas are a step into Asia. To the contrary, both are very contemporary and in tune with current fashion trends. The Asian influence is just a subtlety that makes them all the more interesting. SO! Me in the main street of Leongatha is primarily a jewellery shop with a very wide selection of all types of jewellery. There are silver and semi-precious stones, there are Jennie’s own creations which guarantee a unique necklace or bracelet, and there is a wide selection of all types of necklaces, earrings and bracelets to cover all price ranges. There’s even body jewellery and several shelves of glitter which is becoming so popular for the debs in the area. To fit in with the jewellery there are handbags, scarves and clothing. The bags include clutch bags, jewellery pouches and stylish leather bags. The scarves are for all seasons and the clothing includes imports by Jennie and Hess and the local ‘Threadz’ range. And between all this colour and glitter are the pieces of ceramics and wood and stone from Vietnam, Thailand and Bali. Some quite idiosyncratic, like the stone boxes or the tea sets, others are more conventional, like the
Style: the Zenergie rooms exude class and comfort. wooden owls from Thailand, but the overall effect is difference. SO! Me presents you with a product mix that you are unlikely to see anywhere else in the state because some of the items are unique to this shop. In the case of Zenergie, the Asian influence is more obvious. The three luxury villas lie on the first folds of the Strzeleckis, just on the edge of Kongwak about 10 kilometres north of Inverloch. The views are panoramic and the Prom is visible on most days far off to the east. The villas are built into the hillside and the gardens Jennie and Hess have planted are rapidly growing up around the villas. Inside, the villas are intimate, with a living space and a sleeping space which all blend together. The bedroom is on a raised floor so that
the views may still be appreciated when lying in bed. The bed is definitely inspired by Asia: a large four poster built into the room done in oriental colours and complemented with bright pillows and cushions. The other exciting features of the villas are their entrances and courtyards. The doors are small double handcrafted doors which open into the personal courtyard area. The courtyards are carefully landscaped and contain a bench seat individually crafted by Hess and made from jarrah sleepers. The courtyards are magical areas where one can unwind, read a book, meditate, sleep or simply look deep into one’s partner’s eyes. The exotic touches, the colours, the furniture, the sculptures all conspire to create an energy and excitement and this was quite a deliberate intention in the design. But to balance this vibrancy there is also a tranquillity in the views, the vegetation and the ambience which make Zenergie such a delightful place to unwind and recuperate. For those interested in things beyond the physical plane of life, Zenergie also offers a range of activities to feed the mind and the soul. These include massage, yoga, pilates, meditation and drumming. And Jennie and Hess have just prepared the details for an Ascetic wedding, a wedding for those who seek a holistic ceremony that acknowledges body, mind and soul. This in turn ties in with their desire to offer a limited meal package based on vegetarianism and veganism and raw veganism. In short, both SO! Me and Zenergie are very interesting in their own ways. Their popularity with shoppers and those seeking accommodation in the area is proof of their acceptance and relevance. Make sure you visit the shop and find the time to look up Zenergie on the internet at www.zenergie.com.au
PAGE 6 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
Proud to be in Loch SOME towns are proud of the way they are. Loch is one of those places. The tiny village has been bypassed by the South Gippsland Highway for a number of years now, but there is no way it is going to dry and up and blow away. The vibrant community has ensured that the twon remains an attractive proposition to both residents and vistors. The school is one of the best things going for Loch. They’re only young, but already the students at Loch Primary School know the value of looking after their town. Loch Primary School Grade 6 student Skye Twite tells her story…
Clean team: Lexie and Georgia clean up one of the side streets of Loch.
Beauty for sale THERE is nothing quite as beautiful as an exotic hand woven rug.
It’s in the bag: Natalie and Emma set out on the big clean up day.
A bit tyred: Tom returns with a tyre he found down the drain.
Recently Loch Primary School went into Loch to clean it up. All the students put their drink bottles in one of the teacher’s cars and then they got into six groups. Then each of them put on a pair of rubber gloves for picking up the rubbish that they found. Each group had a recyclable bag and a plastic bag to put all the rubbish in. The small bag was for the recyclable stuff, the other bag was for the wrappers and glass that was broken, but the grades sixes were the only ones allowed to pick it up and put in the bag. After they had done all the places they had to walk along on the map the school kids went to the Loch Park to have a drink of their drinks and play for a couple of minutes then the school students went back and went to play.
And no one knows this quite as well as Emine Ates, who has been buying and selling them for 20 years. “I was travelling and I fell in love with the rugs. I started bringing a few back to sell a few to friends and family,” she said. Her trips to Turkey were a wonder to her, not just for the sights and sounds of an ancient land with a family connection, but the glory of those wonderful hand woven rugs, which seemed to embody so much of the culture of the place. Emine was born in Turkey and
opened her first shop in Australia in 1987. Based in Toorak Road, South Yarra, for a number of years, she eventually moved on to High Street, Armadale. “I travelled regularly to remote areas once or twice a year to buy stock, mainly to Turkey and Iran,” she said. “I closed my shop in 2006 to start a family and I put the rugs in storage until now. Now I find it’s the right time to sell them.” For Emine it will not be an easy thing to sell the rugs, of which there was a “big selection”. The sale represents the severing of an old life and the beginning of a new one. Once the rugs are gone, she has vowed never to sell them again.
Her two young children are now the most important thing in her life. But she cannot deny the connections to her past. “My grandmother was from a tribal region and she used to make rugs. I guess it’s in me,” she said. She said rug making was a dying art because “young people don’t want to keep the tradition alive”. She has chosen to sell her rugs in Loch from April 1 to 11 in the Masonic Hall because her stock was sought after at Carrington’s antique shop. But the shop is “choc-o-block” with other items and Emine needs a bigger space to operate. It’s good news for all those people who love rugs.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 7
Kongwak’s market marvel KONGWAK has plenty going for it.
Community first: marchers at the Mirboo North Arty Gras last year. The popular autumn event will be held on May 7, 8 and 9 in 2010.
The town on top MIRBOO North is a small country town situated on top of the Strzelecki Range, almost in the middle of one of Victoria’s great tourist drives, the Grand Ridge Road. Located mid way between the Latrobe Valley and Leongatha, the town boasts some glorious views, many from the actual main street, and none better than the scenery surrounding all the approach roads. Just a pleasant two-hour drive from Melbourne puts you in the heart of South Gippsland’s dairy country; the town provides an ideal spot for a peaceful picnic or barbecue in the huge Baromi Park. Here you’ll find free electric barbies under shelter with spacious tables, or find a spot in the
park as the children make use of an excellent shaded playground. If you feel like being a little pampered there’s the brewery restaurant, Commercial Hotel or the local bakery, cafes and milk bars. When you’re ready to do some exploring there is still some unspoilt bush right in the middle of town. Look for the Bath’s Road Reserve, walk through the reserve and you will finish up at the outdoor swimming pool; a better setting would be hard to find anywhere. In town you can follow up on some local history in the form of the old railway station, still basically as it was when the last train pulled out in 1974. Along the main street is the old bank building and the imposing old shire hall. Much of the town’s history is captured by
a recently completed paved walkway in the park. If you are a keen walker or cyclist, head for the rail trail that starts on the edge of town and takes you some sixteen kilometres to Boolarra. Both of these walks are maintained by local volunteers and are a credit to their ongoing efforts that help us all to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of our native bushland. The population of Mirboo North is around 1600, not a lot of people, but the locals enjoy a great choice of community activities. The local library was under threat of closure just a couple of years ago; it now enjoys the improved facilities provided since building extensions and renovations.
A prosperous dairy industry, tight-knit community, friendly school and some of South Gippsland’s most spectacular scenery are just some of the district’s assets. But ask most people what they know about Kongwak and they will invariably answer “the market”. The Sunday Kongwak Market has become an institution in South Gippsland. Its eclectic mix of stalls offer a range of clothing, household items, food and drinks that makes every visit a sensory delight. It more or less runs itself now, although organiser Jane Seaholme keeps a friendly eye out to ensure that the market keeps its “waste wise” reputation. “We try not to use plastic bags,” said Jane. “We’re 95 per cent plastic bag free. “And it’s a nonsmoking event.” Which makes it the perfect place to take the family. “The market is very family-friendly,” Jane continued. “We have lots of young families with toddlers
and pushers.” She describes the atmosphere as akin to “a village square”, where patrons seem content to wander around, browse, have coffee, shop, stay for lunch. Excellent and reasonably priced curries are usually on offer, but the market’s food has gone Italian until the end of this year. It’s not surprising that friendships have been forged in such relaxed surroundings. The market, said Jane, is “a bit different”. Goods on sale are mostly secondhand, including books and “gorgeous” vintage clothes, providing the chance to “pick up a pair of $300 shoes for $12”. All stallholders are local, living in either Bass Coast or South Gippsland shires. “We have a very established number of stallholders and a very loyal clientele, but every week is different. Local produce is available too, with growers only selling what is in season and grown without the use of pesticides. Cheese, wine fruit and vegetables can be purchased in the knowledge that the buyer is being carbon footprint conscious.
PAGE 8 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
Coal keeps on burning By Matt Dunn THERE may come a day when the Friends of Coal Creek are written into the history books as the saviours of the historical park. With tenacity and a will to fight – not to mention a commitment to rebuild and apply the odd lick of paint – they have helped keep a community asset from folding. One of the most recent successes for the group has been its renovation of the “Cordial Factory”. The group has had a sometimes tumultuous relationship with South Gippsland Shire Council, who knocked down a number of buildings, citing financial pressures in the upkeep of the facility. “It (the Cordial Factory) was one of the three buildings allocated to us when we went to VCAT and stirred them (South Gippsland Shire Council) up a bit. It was one of the buildings that was going to go out of the park,” president Bill O’Neill said. The volunteers have done much to spruce up the building, including repainting, fixing floorboards, building a new deck built (with the expert help of 76-year-old volunteer Ron Black) and replacing spouting. “For a building that was going to go out of the park, for $500 it is now an asset to Coal Creek,” Bill said. The group fought council and won the right to renovate threatened build-
Friends forever: volunteers Syd Whyte, Bill O’Neill and Bob Wilson did their bit to restore the Cordial Factory to its former glory. ings. The angst that was once felt by the group has now subsided to a certain extent and the relationship has improved a great deal. “We do battle with the shire at times, and don’t always agree with things they’ve done. But now they’re having a go. The Court House has been done, the school’s getting done, and the front of the bank’s getting done. The General Store’s been done,” Bill said. “They rushed in and knocked down those buildings. I’ll never for-
give them for knocking down our Blacksmith’s Shop and the Printer’s Office and that sort of thing. “The council was too hasty in knocking things down. I said to them conversation is better than confrontation. Let’s just talk about it.” But predictions for the tourist park - not to mention the financial cost to South Gippsland Shire ratepayers – were dire. In 2006 an independent report predicted that by 2012 South Gippsland
Shire Council would have poured at least $8 million into Coal Creek, with little recouped. It opened in 1974. But Bill believes the tide has turned for Coal Creek, with recognition that tourism is “big business”. The Friends are hoping on a $50,000 grant to do further work in the park. But they are not alone in their commitment to Coal Creek. Local business people and charities have offered labour or cheap materials. Rotary, Reece Plumbing, Fishers
Timber, Burra Hardware, Korumburra Building Suppliers, Burra Garden Supplies, Thrifty Link, Kelly’s Bakery, Steve Wilson and Kevin Whelan from South Gippsland Pest Control, had all lent their support in one way or another, Bill said. But even so, Bill conceded that the Friends of Coal Creek had “found the going tough”. Legal costs associated with the group’s fight against South Gippsland Shire Council were significant and although some bitterness persists, Bill said the relationship continued to improve. “The barriers are down a bit. We have a meeting once a month but we didn’t meet here. We’d be down at the access centre,” he said. The exclusion they once experienced has “turned around”. “To me the hurt’s been done, but now we make the best of what we can do,” he said. During a heated battle to save Jim McConnell’s Blacksmith’s Shop the Friends were labelled a “vigilante group”. “One bloke called us a vigilante group. I said to him, ‘I’ve been in this town for a long time, mate, and you don’t know Jim McConnell. You’ve only been here five years. He used to shoe my dad’s horses,’” he said. “This fella who called me that, I found it a bit hard to take.” You might say it was all about history. For those whose families have been in Korumburra for generations, the buildings at Coal Creek are far more than just timber.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 9
THE lure of catching a big fish brings boatloads of people to Port Welshpool whatever the season. Quality boating facilities at the port offer the perfect base from which to explore the inside waters of Corner Inlet or Bass Strait beyond the entrance. The ramp is wide and serviced by a jetty, and is equipped with a fish cleaning table to prepare the catches for home. The wharves are home to the inlet and offshore fishing fleet, and offer a vantage point to watch fishermen unload or simply dangle a line for flathead, trevally, whiting and other species. White and serene, the beach at Port Welshpool may be a little cool to swim at during the autumn months but is the ideal spot for a game of beach cricket or a family picnic. Families can enjoy a barbecue or a picnic in the park and visit the maritime museum to learn about the region’s seafaring past. Stretching far out into the inlet, the Long Jetty is an icon of the port but is closed to the public for safety’s sake. Fires and deteriorating conditions have rendered the jetty unsafe, so maybe take photos from the beach instead. At 908m, the jetty is the only structure of its kind in Victoria and the Welshpool community
Relaxing morning: John Toulson of The Basin dangles a line at Port Welshpool in anticipation of a catch.
Adventure remembered: Tintern Girls Grammar students Georgia Thorton and Hayley Milburn enjoyed paddling around Snake Island, off Port Welshpool.
is hoping to one day build an underwater observatory there to showcase the marine life of the inlet. Port Welshpool is well serviced by a general store and hotel, but nature is essentially the reason people visit. A walking trail linking Port Welshpool with nearby Welshpool is now being constructed and is on schedule for a possible opening at Easter. The 4.5km trail will offer an opportunity for a leisurely stroll or ride through coastal bushland on Port Welshpool’s northern boundary, along Telegraph Road and then adjoining the Welshpool road back to the highway, passing through the park in the middle of town. Welshpool is a service centre for the district, boasting a hotel, service stations, opportunity shop, supermarket and the Rural Transaction Centre. The hills behind Welshpool offer a scenic drive along sealed and gravel roads, showcasing the spectacular Strzelecki Ranges. The Grand Ridge Road is one of Victoria’s famous drives and can be reached by taking Woorarra Road, next to the Corner Service Station.
PAGE 10 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
New life returns to Prom By Brad Lester GREEN foliage is sprouting from charred trunks and wildlife walk where fire raged a year ago at Wilsons Promontory National Park. On February 8, 2009, a bushfire started by lightning above Sealers Cove spread to the top of the park and raced west, fanned by winds before heading south. The fire returned to its starting point, burning 25,200ha over five weeks, nearly half of the park. The southern half of the park was razed by bushfire in 2005. Graeme Baxter of Parks Victoria said the world famous national park is now regenerating and luring visitors once more. “The park is coming back really well. Since the fire, we’ve had great deluges of rain so that soil has stayed in place and the vegetation is coming back nicely,” he said. Parks staff are attacking rabbits and weeds before they take hold on the vulnerable burnt sections and natural species appreciative of fire are taking the rare opportunity to show their splendour. “Before the fire we had a small population of eastern spider orchids and now we have more than before,” Mr Baxter said. “People who came through the park in
late winter and early spring would have seen mass flowerings of grass trees, particularly in the Darby River area. Fire just sets these off to flower.” Animal populations take longer to recover. Since the 2005 fire, rangers have been devoting time to monitoring the return of species and have found many birds are recolonising past habitats quickly. “So we expect the same for up north of the park,” Mr Baxter said. Rangers will conduct trapping in autumn to learn more, targeting bandicoots and potoroos, species more vulnerable to foxes. Most tracks have been rehabilitated with only bridges at Lilly Pilly Gully to be restored, as well as a heavily eroded area at Tongue Point, damaged before the fire. A boardwalk will be built there to protect the environment. Fair Cover, Whisky Bay, the northern section of Lilly Pilly circuit and the Mount Bishop walking track will be closed until further notice. The walk to Tin Mine Cove along the northern section of the Prom is reopened. Campers in this part of the park should note Parks Victoria will relocate the campsite at Johnny Souey Cove to Lighthouse Point after the fire revealed Aboriginal artefacts at the cove.
Back then: fire takes hold of the bush around Lilly Pilly Gully carpark.
Quick recovery: a butterfly flag flowers soon after the blaze.
Appealing taste: a swamp wallaby takes advantage of nutritious new growth.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 11
Something Fishy THE first thing you notice about Fish Creek is the fish.
Artistic hub: Meeniyan is in the heart of the South Gippsland artistic community.
Little charmer
IT’S a little town with a lot to offer.
Meeniyan is known as the “Turning Point” – alluding to travellers who turn off towards Fish Creek and The Prom or who keep going along the South Gippsland Highway to Foster and Corner Inlet. But more and more, these days, visitors are turning off their engines before they leave town. There’s plenty to do in Meeniyan, making it a great stop before attempting the last leg of your journey. Always a vibrant little town, Meeniyan is in the midst of a renaissance that promises to make it a key attraction of the South Gippsland region. A new supermarket is about to be built after a fire last year burned the old one to the ground. A community bank is on the way, with a recently installed ATM in the main street proving a wonderful service to both travellers and locals. A hardware store has opened in the main street, adding to the options available in the tidy
main street. But perhaps the most exciting addition in recent times has been Moos at Meeniyan – a new restaurant/café that has South Gippsland foodies and coffee addicts abuzz. Built in the old Watson’s on Whitelaw building at the Foster end of the main street, Moos has quickly established itself as a popular venue for slow breakfasts and great coffee. Friday and Saturday nights are dinner nights at Moos, with tables filling quickly as word of the food quality gets around. Just down the road a little towards Fish Creek is the Meeniyan Golf Club – one of the best country courses you will find. A unpretentious club, it’s a great place to enjoy eighteen holes on a truly beautiful and challenging course. And there are few better places to enjoy a cool after round drink than the club house full of friendly members.
Painted on the roof of the church, featured on the town signs and flopped across the top of the art-deco pub, there is definitely something Fishy about Fish Creek. While spot the fish is no doubt a fun game, there is plenty more to keep you entertained in this charming little hamlet. A thriving arts community is the first thing that strikes visitors to Fish Creek. The Gecko Gallery, Ride a Wild Goat and Banksia Gallery are all well respected homes for artists and art. On any given Sunday in the town, there is likely to be one or more exhibitions – if not an opening of the town’s latest showing.
There’s plenty to eat and drink in Fish Creek. The Promontory Gate Hotel has just been taken over by new owners and is proving a hit with locals and visitors alike. There are plenty of other options in town, from café style coffee and meals to a simple feed of fish and chips. The Great Southern Rail Trail heads out of town in both directions. It’s a sharp ride both east and west, although the route to Meeniyan soon settles into a smooth journey. The ride to Foster, however, will see riders tackle the Hoddle Range – making it a breathtaking experience in more ways than one. With a population of around 200, Fish Creek is located around 165 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, between Meeniyan and Wilsons Promontory/Waratah Bay.
Quiet days: the shopping centre of Fish Creek always has a relaxed atmosphere.
PAGE 12 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
Good times: the Cape Paterson Aquathon is a highlight of the local sporting calendar.
The Cape TO locals it is known simply as the The Cape. One of South Gippsland’s best kept secrets, Cape Paterson is a unique beachside town that, to the delight of locals, has been kept in the shadow of more popular towns further along the coast. The beach is the definite highlight of this town. It has everything you could ask for. Rocky crevices, calm bays, roaring surf and huge stretches of white sand make this a water lover’s paradise. A day at The Cape is an unforgettable experience. Children in particular are entranced by the stretch of coast. There are endless opportunities to explore the rocks, build a sand castle or dip a toe or more into the water. A rough hewn pool in the rocks creates a safe environment for the kiddies, while those who brave the open water will have life guards watching after them during the popular holiday times. After a day at the beach, there is no better place to quench the thirst than at the Cape Tavern. The friendly atmosphere and quality food, drinks and service make this a “must-do” for visitors to this undiscovered gem of South Gippsland.
Weather’s fury: sea and sky turn on a show.
Style: Fenna van der Meulen (centre) with Martin and Wilma Verstegen, who are delighted to have found a camping ground offering en suite bathroom facilities at some sites.
Upmarket camping CAMPING at Venus Bay has become a whole lot more stylish. Jacob and Fenna van der Meulen have run the seaside town’s caravan park for more than six years and they’re constantly working to upgrade the facilities and meet the demands of the market. Accordingly, they have put in some en suites so that some campsites have their own toilet and shower facilities. These are smart, compact and a wonderful idea, especially for grey nomads and families with little children. Martin and Wilma Verstegen of Lang Lang were thrilled to be able to park their van by an en suite. They recently discovered the Venus Bay Caravan Park and were so impressed, they returned with their family. “Having an en suite is marvellous for us.” There are also two new deluxe cabins which are neat and compact but capacious enough to accommodate five or six people. Set on a hill in the park, the cabins have decks with a wall and window on the seaward side. Jacob and Fenna specifically asked for this addition, streamlined in with the rest of the cabin to protect against the wind. The cabins come with their own linen. The van der Meulens are looking forward to a busy Easter and a raffle with a Kleenheat pizza oven as the major prize. There will be the usual colouring competition for children and Easter Sunday bush breakfast of egg in a bread “basket” served with bacon, all for $2. Solar heating keeps the swimming pool warm for extended lengths of the year. Fenna said the camping ground’s coffee corner is always popular, with campers and visitors alike. She and Jacob love Venus Bay with its friendly small township air, patrolled beaches and growing number of shops. They sponsor the Surf Life Saving Club and the Tour de Tarwin, which is held over Easter.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 13
PICTURESQUE ICTURESQUE Foster F t is i a town t of diversity nestled between the Strzelecki Ranges and Wilsons Promontory National Park. A service village for the Corner Inlet district, Foster offers a variety of stores including two supermarkets, a hotel and newsagency, a shoe shop, cafes, bakeries, clothing and beach goodies. The town was founded with the discovery of gold in 1870 and has since become a popular destination for people wanting a country life with the advantages of Corner and Shallow inlets, as well as the Prom, on their doorsteps. In town, there is a museum, art gallery and library to tour on wet days, and a nice walk through Pearl Park and across a bridge over Stockyard Creek. Peaceful bushwalks can be enjoyed around town. There is the 900m Hayes Walk from the middle of town over Kaffir
Hill and d pastt the th site it off Victory Vi t Mi the th Mine, biggest gold mine in town. Cross McDonald Street to the Cody Gully Walk, part of the Bratuaulong Walking Track. This is one kilometre long. Enter from McDonald Street and pass through tea-tree, paperbarks, banksias, peppermint trees and ferns. New Zealand Hill on the northern side of the highway has several walks suitable for walking, horse riding and cycling. The surrounds of Foster are spectacular, with a lookout across the Prom and Corner Inlet available to enjoy several kilometres north of town, just off the South Gippsland Highway. Bowls and golf clubs will appeal to the visiting sportsperson, and are widely regarded as quality facilities. The Great Southern Rail Trail starts in Foster and offers a safe place to walk, cycle or ride towards Fish Creek and beyond.
Good tucker: the produce market at Foster has been yet another attraction for the Corner Inlet town. Left, Living history: Foster’s museum offers a treasure trove of artefacts.
PAGE 14 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010
Must visit: Di and John Koenders at Mayfield Gallery.
EMILY Koenders has been creating wonderful depictions of wildlife for years.
Good friends: South Gippsland wildlife artist Emily Koenders with her new friend Kinwah the tiger cub.
But her work is now set to take on a new dimension. While she can spend time in her garden observing its myriad of busy bird activity, her paintings of wild animals have been undertaken through visits to traditional zoos and from photographs. These have served her well, but she felt her love of creatures in the wild called for more. Thanks to a special birthday gift from her partner Harry, Emily has spent 1 ½ hours cuddling up with a tiger! The experience took place early in February at the privately owned Mogo Zoo in New South Wales, but it still leaves her breathless. She was told she would be able to snuggle up with a tiger cub and feed it with a bottle. “Cub!” she declares, gently rocking her bended arms as though cradling a small baby feline. The reality was a splendidly striped animal of eight months. The photographic montage she has of that meeting shows a beast that looks fully grown. His name is Kinwah. Emily sat down with the tiger and patted its head. She kissed its paw. She fed him from a bottle, stroking his face as she did so. She
cuddled Kinwah and stretched out next to him as he lapped up all the attention. She has been up close and personal with a cheetah before, but not with a tiger. “I played with him like a normal pet. “Kinwah won’t be bottle fed for much longer; it was just wonderful.” The tender moments gave her the emotional connection she had always wanted with such a creature from the wild. And now they will be reflected in her art. “The emotional part of my art is the biggest part; it’s all my art. “I will always know that I’ve stroked a tiger. I’ll have all of that in my psyche. It gives me a greater appreciation of wildlife and adds a confidence to my work. “She believes the time spent with Kinwah will enrich the experience of those who attend her gallery in Fairbank. Photographs of the tiger will be displayed on a wide screen and visitors will be able to discuss the encounter with Emily. She has a new exhibition opening there on April 10. It’s called On Bright Wings. It is, said Emily, a major showing of her works. Her gallery, with its stunning view, is open between 10am and 5pm daily.
Autumn’s palette AS autumn starts turning the hills to green and the leaves to russet, autumn’s palette is magnificent. This is truly a beautiful time in South Gippsland. Morning mists settle in the valleys and ‘peace’ returns to the countryside. Mayfield Gallery in Arawata is about to hold an exhibition of Di and John Koenders’ latest art. Their paintings are highly sought after, and this has only increased following the news that they are related to the famous Vincent van Gogh. A documentary is currently being produced following a trip by Di and John throughout Europe tracing Vincent’s life, and painting where he produced some of his most famous works. The exhibition runs March 27 to April 18 including all public holidays and all Easter days from 10am to 5pm. Traditional artworks of landscapes, seascapes, birds and wildlife in many different
mediums, including oils, watercolour, pencil and gouache, make this an exciting art show. Paintings can be purchased direct from the artists, thus avoiding costly commissions charged by private galleries. The venue is stunning, especially at this time of the year and views of the surrounding hills can be enjoyed, whilst sipping on a chilled glass of wine or cup of tea or coffee. Wild birds also feed from the gallery’s balcony. Di and John have received many accolades for their work throughout their 40 plus year careers, and during their recent trip to Europe, have been offered art exhibitions in both London and New York. A short drive from Leongatha or Korumburra, along Fairbank Rd, takes you to Mayfield Gallery. It is a picturesque property, if you need directions, or have any enquiries regarding the exhibition please phone Di or John on 5659 8262.
“SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010 - PAGE 15
Grape taste: the vines are oozing with grapes at Phillip Island’s Purple Hen Vineyard and Winery and owner Rick Lacey invites you to come and sample their fine local wines in a tranquil setting amongst the vines with stunning views across Westernport Bay and Swan Inlet.
Picking another Island drop GRAPE picking is well under way at Phillip Island’s Purple Hen Vineyard and Winery, with an unseasonal early February start.
Wine maker: with grape picking and production in full swing, local wine maker Marcus Satchell and Purple Hen owner Rick Lacey are hoping for another award-winning vintage.
It has been a very busy time at the winery, with holiday makers flocking to the Island for the summer and hundreds heading to the vineyard to sample the award-winning wines, local cheeses and spectacular sea views. Purple Hen is the perfect place to unwind, take in the scenery and treat yourself to some peace, quiet and a glass of the good stuff. At any time of the year the friendly staff will offer a cool place to sit, whether under the umbrellas, gum trees or by the roaring fire, and families are well catered for with plenty of open spaces for the children to run. Owners Rick Lacey and Maira Vitols have created a little paradise on their
Island property and allow visitors the chance to share the experience with the cellar door open Friday to Monday. Growing up on his parents’ South Australian property where they grew almonds and a few grapes, Rick has a love of the land and took a lot of time looking around the country in search of the perfect spot to establish a vineyard, finally settling on a prime piece of land on the Island coast, just near the historic fishing village of Ryhll. Rick said he did seek help from the experts when looking around the country for the perfect location for his vineyard and had some words of encouragement from wine industry expert Denise Miller of Wonthaggi, who suggested he take a look at the Island and local real estate agent Greg Price, and the rest is history. Having purchased the land, the first grapes were planted in 2001 and success came quickly, with the first vintage, the
2004 Pinot, reaping awards at the Royal Melbourne Show. Rick may well put it down to “beginners luck” but the proof is in the pudding. Purple Hen wines are worthy of the high praise, with strong sales locally and Rick is now in talks to see their wines sold throughout Gippsland and he is eyeing the world market . Top wine maker Marcus Satchell of Wonthaggi oversees production and ensures a high standard of wine, and Rick strives for quality in all areas of the business. Get Rick talking about the Purple Hen wines and his face lights up. He is passionate about his wines and Phillip Island. There is plenty on offer around the Island, with the world famous penguins, koalas, wildlife, surf beaches and race track and if Rick has his way, Island wines will be the next great export.
PAGE 16 - “SOUTH COAST TOURIST NEWS”, Autumn Edition, 2010